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One of my favorite tools in my studio is a disc cutter. I was first introduced to this tool in a metals class. I was feeling very uncreative so I thought I would explore the different tools in the studio. Who knew it would be a defining moment! It truly was love at first site. I was instantly inspired by the perfect little circles that immerged from this tiny tool. The possibilities, the options…I could hardly wait to create something from these tiny metal wonders!

So you ask…”what exactly is a disc cutter?” Well a disc cutter is just that…a simple tool that cuts discs. Duh! But there is oh, so much more to it than that.

The tool itself comes in many different shapes and sizes. The model that sits on my bench is a small block of high carbon steel with 10 different cut out circle shapes. The block is actually two blocks that fit securely together on two pins. This keeps it perfectly aligned, but allows it to slide up and down on the pins for ease of movement of your metal sheet.

For each cut out circle shape in the block there is a corresponding steel punch beginning at 1/8″ diameter and increasing in increments of 1/16″ up to 1″ in diameter.

The use of this amazing little workhorse is simple! Lift the top block slightly, so it’s raised but not lifted completely off the pins. Slide your metal sheet (maximum thickness 18 gauge) in between the blocks. Line it up with the hole you would like to punch, find your matching punch and slip it in the hole.

Now comes the fun part! Take your hammer and pound, pound, pound until you feel the punch go through the metal. Oh, it is a glorious moment! Lift the block and viola’! You have a perfectly cut disc! Such a beautiful thing.

You may say, “big deal…so you have a circle!” But a circle really is an amazing shape, and the possibilities are only limited by your own imagination. I have used this workhorse to create some of the most popular pieces in my line. In fact, there barely is a day that goes by when you cannot hear the tap, tap, tap of hammer pounding out these little babies!

A disc cutter can be found in almost all the major jewelry supply catalogs. Contenti has a small model very similar to mine for $54.50 (see picture above). RioGrande has many options in size and price, but you do have to sign up at the website to view their virtual catalog. As you set up your bench for the first time, or are adding tools little by little…I highly recommend adding a disc cutter to your list of tools. At the very least you will be satisfied by the freedom of hammering away and getting out all your frustrations!

Etsymom Spring Charity Auction half of the sale proceeds go to the Ronald McDonald House. Please go bid for a good cause! Etsymoms entered their best and favorite for spring, and you have a chance to win it all! The Auction will take place on Mommyauctions.com in HappyHouseQuilts Shop

The basket includes the following items, click the shop name for more detailed information.Rosie’s Cozies has a cute toddler tote, cute bunny on the frontHappy House Quilts presents Threadabilities Craft kit, design and make your own spring flower clip!Buttercup Corner has another craft kit, felt an egg and a chick to go inside! It’s absolutely darling, and a perfect activity for the family.Andrea Baker provides a fun library tote, with fun spring critters in pastelsAebaby makes these *adorable* tag toys. This is a minky rabbit with colored ears. Really cute!GreenBeanBoutique makes little fruit babies in various colorsCaelista sent this adorable fried egg catnip toy. Something for everyone in the family!Peek-A-Boo Studios made little Suzy Zoo spring hair clips. Custom designed just for Etsymom!NightOwlStudios contributed these adorable spring hair clips. Made from imported fabric, these are way cute! Love the hedge hog.WylesStyle made this super cute egg pouch. Perfect for a teen’s Easter, you know how hard they can be to buy for!BeadedSocks makes cute doll diapers and… beaded socks! The doll diapers are a favorite among the toddlers, and they hold up to rough toddler play much better than disposable dipes.Sassy Stitches made this totally cool clutch! Fun 3D flower on the front. Perfect for mom for Easter!Mommy3Jesse put together this beautiful diaper cake! How fun would this be at a baby shower? A useful gift that is guaranteed *not* to be returned to the store for sure!AllGrownUp2 made this sweet spring charm bracelet. Bunnies, eggs, and chicks!Minefull made this cute pendant featuring a cute little chick! Nice and simple, classy moms would love to wear this this spring.Thumbelina Creations made an amazing pendant with lampwork beads, buttons, and wrapped wire. Be sure to check this out in more detail (click her name) to see it ‘up close’.Mellberry4 made this beautiful pendant, reflecting Easter.

Please visit the EtsyMom.com for more information and thank you for looking at our Etsymom Auction!

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Well tomorrow my 8 year old is having her tonsils out. I know it’s not a “big deal” when it comes to surgery…but it is a BIG deal when it comes to my child.

She’s apprehensive…naturally…and quite frankly so am I. The whole idea of the hospital, and putting her to sleep kind of freaks me out. I wish I could go through it for her and then let her reap the rewards of the results!! I guess that is quite a typical feeling for a mom!

In addition to the stress of the actually surgery. My husband and I are feeling the weight of the financial stress of the surgery as well. WOW…who knew it could cost so much. And who knew our insurance was such a bummer. So all day I’ve wrestled with what to do, how to make it work. And the truth is, I have no answer.

She needs the surgery, we’ve determined that. As for the money, that’s when my faith HAS to step into the picture. God and I have been a little at odds lately. Not because I doubt his existence, or even his love for me…but sometimes I think he might be preoccupied with everyone else. Yet in my heart of heart I also know that is not true.

So maybe through Isabel’s surgery I am the one learning the lesson of even more dependence and faith. First of all, he loves her even more than I do…hard to imagine…and he has a plan for her little life. Second, he loves me too and he even has a plan for my ridiculous life – and more importantly he really cares…a lot!

Thanks for letting me rant and rave. Pray for my little one tomorrow if you think about it. And remember, he really does love each and every one of us. He made us, he has purpose for us…and for pete’s sake…he even suffered and died for us. If he was willing to do that for me almost 2000 years ago, I’m pretty sure he cares about what I’m doing today. So what in the world am I worrying about anyway!!

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Friendship is a beautiful thing. When you have it, it can be your lifeline. As a woman, your girlfriends are the ones there for you in the tough times, when you want to go shopping, when you just HAVE to share, when you don’t want to laugh alone. But when you are friend-less, or just don’t have the amount of contact with your friends that you would like…life can be very lonely.

For me personally, I am quite picky about whom I choose as friends. Maybe because of past hurts, maybe because I fear being rejected who knows why I am the way I am. I do know, when I do have a friend I’m like a Golden Retriever….loyal to the end! I don’t need lots and lots of acquaintances, just a few really good friends. Those I can trust. Trust is HUGE for me.

What I have found is that in the past 12 years of being a mom, and a homeschool mom at that…there hasn’t been tons of time for me to develop friendships. I don’t have the freedom to just meet someone for that cup of coffee. And I for sure can’t even bother to consider having a meaningful phone conversation…uninterrupted! So I haven’t made many new friends, and…to my disappointment… I haven’t done well in keeping up with my existing friends.

No this isn’t a “feel sorry for Lisa” party. I take full responsibility for myself. But I recently have found a new friendship option. Cyber space friends. And before you start thinking I’m some weirdo chat room stalker…let me explain.

As many of you know I have been a jewelry artist for a long time. I’ve sold to stores and online through a website. Lately, I have really been pushing the ETSY store thing…and loving it. It has opened my world to many other artists, artists who are mom’s as well. There are two communities which I have become a part of online.

The first indie public is an independent art and design community. It’s filled with tons of people like me, struggling with the same things I do. The best part? Everyone is willing to share and contribute and help each other. I have met some really interesting and talented artists!

The second community is Posh Mama and this place ROCKS! Already, I have made several new friends…again, many are artists…but most importantly we’re all mom’s too. Shoot, I even belong to a group for TALL mama’s!! Is that funny or what?

So before you draw conclusions and think all online things are filled with weirdo stalkers…I’m just saying open your mind. Don’t be stupid. Don’t give out lot’s of personal information. But be aware that there are other people out there like yourself who just might have something valuable to say to you. And they might like what you have to say too!

It doesn’t take a lot of my time, but what it does is give me a couple minutes a day of adult interaction with other women like myself. They don’t care if I’m still in my pajamas, they don’t care if I’m taller than them, they don’t care that my husband works for a church…they’re just interested in whatever it is we are discussing at the moment.